Today in sports: Clippers in field hockey showdown in Riverhead

If the previous meeting between these two field hockey teams is anything to judge by, this rematch should be a good one.

Greenport/Southold/Shelter Island and Riverhead could not be any closer in the Suffolk County Division III standings. Entering Tuesday’s games, the Clippers (7-5, 6-5) were in seventh place with 99.720 power-rating points, just a notch above the Blue Waves (5-6, 5-5), who had 97.220 power-rating points. Both teams are so close to a playoff berth that they can almost taste it.

Today’s game at Riverhead High School at 4:30 p.m. promises to be a good one.

Their match in Greenport on Sept. 27 was decided in penalty strokes after 70 minutes of scoreless hockey, including a 10-minute sudden-victory overtime. Riverhead prevailed that day as junior Christy Brewer stuck in the winning penalty stroke. Then goalkeeper Allie Doscinski (13 saves) saved the last attempt by the Clippers, bringing the Blue Waves victory. Brittney Baron and Jocelyn Zanewski converted their penalty strokes for Riverhead. Greenport’s successful penalty strokes came from Emily King and Lauren Ficurilli.

The loss was a tough blow for the Clippers, who outplayed the Riverheaders for most of the first half, but couldn’t convert on their opportunities. Although the Clippers are enjoying their best season in years, they lost their last two games, 2-0 to Rocky Point and 4-1 to Southampton.

Riverhead, meanwhile, is coming off a 3-0 shutout of visiting William Floyd on Tuesday. Melodee Riley scored twice and Brewer netted the other goal.